Director Jeon Woo-sung Explores a Gory Human Organ Trafficking Ring in Gripping New Series

Director Jeon Woo-sung Explores a Gory Human Organ Trafficking Ring in Gripping New Series

Director Jeon Woo-sung has embarked on a thrilling new series titled Bargain, which delves deep into the dark world of a human organ trafficking ring. The series, based on Lee Chung-hyun’s 2015 short film of the same name, showcases an experimental concept and filming technique that adds to its uniqueness. Jeon faced initial skepticism when he approached actor Jun Jong-seo with the script, but after several conversations and incorporating her feedback, she decided to come aboard.

In Bargain, which premiered on Paramount+ on October 6th, Jun Jong-seo portrays Joo-young, a young woman who pretends to be a sex worker but is secretly involved in operating the human organ trafficking ring. When Joo-young’s client, played by Jin Sun-kyu, realizes the truth, he finds himself in a perilous situation where his organs are being auctioned off.

The original short film was approximately 14 minutes long, but this series spans across six episodes, allowing for a more extensive exploration of the story. One significant addition to the plot is the occurrence of a severe earthquake during the organ auction, leaving the survivors trapped in the wreckage.

During an interview at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Jeon revealed that the concept of the earthquake was decided upon before he joined the project. The natural disaster serves as a form of punishment for the villains within the story. Jeon further explained his fascination with exploring the characters as villains, emphasizing that everyone possesses both good and evil sides. The director aimed to give the audience a reason to empathize with Joo-young by providing her with a backstory.

Jeon was particularly keen on casting Park Hyung-soo and Lee Joo-young, the stars of the original short film, in this series, as he believed their inclusion was crucial. Additionally, Jin Sun-kyu, who plays the lead role of Hyung-soo, was specifically chosen by Jeon, as the screenplay was written with him in mind.

The decision to film the series using the one-shot technique, similar to the short film, was always a given for Jeon. Although challenging, this technique adds a sense of intensity and immersion to the storytelling. Jeon mentioned that shooting scenes in the basement, especially those involving water, proved to be particularly difficult. Additionally, scenes with falling objects presented their own set of challenges.

While Bargain features violent and dark moments, the production team made conscious choices to balance the depiction of gore and violence. For instance, rather than showing graphic scenes such as the cutting of an ear, they relied on the viewers’ imagination. The bodies strung upside down in the basement were also carefully designed to strike a balance between creating an eerie atmosphere and maintaining a level of discretion. Throughout filming, except for one instance, the bodies were merely dummies.

Jeon did not specifically focus on incorporating elements that would resonate more with Korean viewers, as the series is meant to be a fantasy fiction with unrealistic plot elements. However, he did draw inspiration from how a horrific crime might manifest within the context of Korea. Notably, the motel setting is reminiscent of those found in the countryside of Korea.

With Bargain, Jeon hopes to challenge the perception of Korean dramas, which have largely been associated with romantic comedies. He believes that viewers will be open to exploring new genres, especially given the shift towards more diverse content.

Fans can stream all six episodes of Bargain on Paramount+, immersing themselves in the gripping narrative and the director’s unique vision.